And A Good Time Was Had By All

Life is meant to be enjoyed. Jesus promised a full life to His followers. In a sense, eternal life is here and hereafter. Much Scripture extols the good life.

A staple of the satisfied, joy has been described as a peaceful kind of happiness that brings contentment though needs persist. It is not frenetic but a peaceful happiness. Nor is it the same as fun. A great mistake that many make today is confusing temporary satisfaction with the real thing.

Joy is not achieved in the seeking. Rather, it is a by-product of ethical living. For this reason, people with few possessions may rightly be called wealthy. Possessions do not secure happiness since quality in life is proportional to propriety. While we cannot find joy in pursuit, we may find it along the road of a life well-lived. The good life is a good life. Jesus said that, in seeking the right, we obtain the rest.

What is sought in the name of fulfillment fails of expectations. Our day is characterized by frustration and fruitlessness. The satisfying of the flesh is not satisfaction to the soul. Joy is not a destination but a journey. However, the journey must be worthwhile if it is to grant meaning. Seldom will we find gratification in what has been done but often in the doing.

We should aspire to more in our lives than “having a good time.” If we want lives of hope and meaning, we will have to lose ourselves in causes greater than ourselves. There must be reasons why and ways to live for us to be worthy of the lives God has given. The Bible teaches us that all things associated with this world are passing away. They were never meant to last. The will of God is what matters in this life and the next.

In time, we recognize real value. Once, a friend of mine asked a salesman if the automobile he was considering was silver or grey. The man replied, “That depends on whether you’re buying or selling.” Even things that present well lose their sheen at last. God’s cause and values are what really matter. They gain luster over time and provide glimpses of splendor.

The path of the Christ-follower becomes clearer as the day wanes and the world darkens. As we walk in the light, we understand the meaning of life and true joy. The manner in which we travel becomes the key to unlocking the storehouse of God’s bounty. We become happy and at peace. Joy flows to us because we have not lived for ourselves but for a greater cause. That within finds outward expression, and our lives are filled with glory.

Sterl